Not minding the strong warning by the Federal Government to descend heavily on those attcking security personnel in the country, arsonists on Wednesday touched two police stations in Akwa Ibom state.
Gunmen in carrying out their nefarious activities defied the early morning rain as they launched deadly attacks on two police stations in Ika and Etim Ekpo local government areas of the state, killing a police officer, PC Edogi Bassey in the process.
The attack took place at about 6.30am
At Ika and Etim Ekpo Divisional Police stations and police vehicles were razed. But the police say a small portion of Etim Ekpo police station was affected.
The recent onslaught brings to seven the number of police stations so far burnt, while the police officers killed in the state have risen to 16.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and culture had on Tuesday warned that those involved in the act will pay dearly for their actions.
He had said, “ Now, there is a growing dangerous trend which I will like to
comment on. It is the practice of launching deadly attacks against the
nation’s security personnel. Soldiers as well as police, customs and
other security agents have been killed and maimed in some parts of the
country in this growing trend of targeting security forces. I want to
say, unequivocally, that any attack on our security men and women is
an attack on the state and a declaration of war against the nation.
“It follows, therefore, that this will be countered with overwhelming
force. When those whose responsibility it is to protect us are
themselves being subjected to mindless attacks, it can only be for one reason only: To instill fear and evoke a sense of pervasive insecurity
among the people. Whether known or unknown gunmen, those engaged in
this dastardly act will pay dearly for their actions.”
